School of Life Sciences  
 
 
LSC-30001 Behavioural Neurobiology  
Co-ordinator: Dr David Mazzocchi-Jones   Tel:33051  
Teaching Team:  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 3 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office: Tel: 01782 734414
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for
Biology Major (Level 3)
Biology Minor (Level 3)
Human Biology Minor (Level 3)
Neuroscience Minor (Level 3)
Available as a Free Standing Elective
No
Prerequisites
None
Barred Combinations
None
Description

This is a multidisciplinary module whose aim is to develop an understanding of animal (including human) behaviour in terms of the function of the nervous system. This module concentrates on the brains of mammals, especially humans, and on sub-cortical systems. There are occasional references to lower vertebrates and even invertebrates where the study of shared mechanisms in simpler animals is useful. Modern neuroscience is an interdisciplinary study, and this is reflected in the syllabus in that it draws on information from anatomy and microanatomy, physiology, neurochemistry, neuropharmacology and neuroendocrinology to bring about an understanding of behaviour.

Lectures are supported by a series of student-led seminars based on recent research publications. Topics covered include pleasure and pain, fear, stress and sleep all linked through the pervading theme of learning and memory. There are no pre-requisites, but students who have done little or no neuroscience before are likely to find it difficult and would be well advised to read Part 1 of the main recommended text, Bear Connors and Paradiso: Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain (Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 3rd edition 2007) before taking the module.
Aims
The aim of the module is to achieve some understanding of animal and human behaviour in terms of brain function.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Successful students will be able to:

Evaluate the evidence linking cellular and molecular mechanisms of learning and memory to the same phenomena at the behavioural level.
Explain the neurobiological mechanisms connecting motivation to pleasure, pain and reward, using the pathways controlling feeding as a specific example.
Recount the principles of pain perception and control and discuss how associations between pain and other stimuli may lead to learned fear.
Relate the functions, anatomy and physiology of the amygdala to its roles in emotional behaviour and learning.
Compare and evaluate theories relating functions of the hippocampus to its known anatomy and physiology. They will be able to discuss the evidence for its roles in the mapping of objects in space and in navigation.
Give an account of the phenomenon of memory consolidation and the evidence concerning it as one of the possible functions of sleep.
Distinguish between stressors and stress responses, and consider their beneficial and detrimental effects on brain and behaviour.
Summarise orally and in writing an original publication and write a concise review of a selected area of the current neuroscience literature.
Study hours
20 Hours Lectures
06 Hours Seminars
124 Hour private study
Description of Module Assessment
1: Review weighted 10%
PUBLICATION SUMMARY
A one-page summary of a recent research publication.

2: Essay weighted 30%
ESSAY
An extended essay of 3000 words maximum
3: 2 Hour Unseen Exam weighted 60%
UNSEEN EXAM - 2 HOURS
A two-hour essay examination consisting of two essays chosen from a selection of five.

Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Mar/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.